NFL Draft's Justifiable Jets: Vance McDonald

With the 2013 NFL Draft less than a month away, TJB will offer some daily insight on players in this year's draft class. Here is one is a series of profiles of players who could be on the board when it’s time for the Jets to make a selection.

VANCE McDONALDPosition: Tight End

School: Rice

Height: 6'4" Weight: 267 pounds

Achievements:Consensus All C-USA selection (2012)

Where the Jets could get him: Rounds 2-4, McDonald might be gone by the end of the second round based on how much he's been talked up in recent weeks and should Eifert get picked in the first round, a run on tight ends in the second seems likely. I've seen McDonald ranked as high as the 3rd TE to as low as the 8th ranked TE on draft websites but I think he'll wind up in the higher end of that range. Should Eifert make it into the second round, a player like McDonald could theoretically stay on the board until the fourth, but that seems unlikely.

Explaining his game: McDonald didn't get the attention out of the major programs in college because he came from a very small town, but his father was a linebacker at Texas so he has some football pedigree. McDonald has size, speed and is a rare athlete. The Rice Owl had one of the fastest 40 times for TEs at the Combine and led all at his position in bench reps (31). McDonald has the frame to be a versatile tight end in the NFL: large shoulders, long arms (34.5") and big hands (10") to extend and pluck the ball out of the air.

McDonald has all the measurables to be a versatile tight end in the NFL, so why is he a Day Two / Day Three prospect? Partly it is the program and partly it was that McDonald was used at Rice as a slot receiver. McDonald excelled in that role, is an experienced route-runner and can catch the ball cleanly has good fluidity for a player of his size. McDonald is projected as a size/speed mismatch but it's unknown whether or not he'd be able to be used effectively as a blocker in the NFL. He just doesn't have enough tape for teams to know for sure.

During the Senior Bowl, McDonald was lauded for being aggressive in blocking drills and was able to maintain balance through contact and finishing strong. Despite all the concerns about his ability to block, he's a player that a dedicated offensive line or tight end coach could work with to improve his technique. Don't be surprised should some team reach for the intriguing prospect.

Notes: Marty Morhinweg used Brent Celek as a big part of his passing game and it's fair to assume that the Jets are looking for a similar type player to help ease the transition into the new offense. Celek was an underrated player coming into the league who had good athleticism and has proven to be a wall-off blocker in the NFL when required. Not having to shuttle tight ends in and out can help to disguise the intent of the play.

The Jets have expressed interest in a number of veteran tight ends in free agency, but obviously none of them have worked out. While there's some interesting depth on the Jets roster right now, it seems that the Jets are looking for a receiving tight end to bolster the front of the depth chart and that's why it's feasible that the Jets could draft a player who could contribute in their first season. McDonald will need to become a better blocker, but he was asked to play a different role in college because of his skills and the needs of his team. McDonald will have to work hard to become a better inline player, but his sheer size and athleticism would seem to make it a good bet for any team that's interested in him that he can project to becoming a better blocker than he is at this point.

The Jet Stream: Dominating the Dolphins

4:30PM

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Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon are back for another episode of The Jet Stream, and this week they get to discus a win! The guys look back at the Jets' victory over the Dolphins and the anthem protests before the game. Later, Jets left tackle Kelvin Beachum joins the show to talk about the improving offensive line and facing his former team, the Jaguars, in Week 4.

Jets defense shows progress in dominant performance against Dolphins

1:00PM

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(Robert Deutsch)

Jets head coach Todd Bowles believes his defensive unit made big improvements in the team's win over the Dolphins on Sunday.

The Jets let up 45 points to the Raiders a week ago, but it didn't look like a defense that allowed that many points on Sunday. The Dolphins couldn't get anything going offensively, and Bowles believes it was because the team played together.

Erin Henderson suing Jets for wrongful termination

Sep 25 | 11:00PM

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New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles watches his team play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) (Adrian Kraus/AP)

Bowles happy team was united for anthem, wants focus to be on issues

Todd Bowles and the Jets made their statement about President Donald Trump and what's happening in this country when they locked arms on the sidelines during the national anthem on Sunday afternoon. Now the Jets coach wants the world's focus to be on the issues and solutions, not on all the inflammatory Tweets and words.

That was his message on Monday when asked for his feelings about the president's remarks, when he said that players who kneel during the anthem should be fired and labeled them a "son of a bitch."

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Josh McCown efficient in Jets win over Dolphins Sunday

Sep 25 | 2:49PM

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September 24, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) passes the football against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports (Kyle Terada)

Jets QB Josh McCown led the offense in the team's first win of the season over the Dolphins, 20-6, on Sunday.

It was his first home game as a Jet, and McCown didn't disappoint. He was accurate, moved the ball around his receiving corps, and most importantly, he impressed head coach Todd Bowles.

"I thought he was very effecient," Bowles told Jets.com's Eric Allen. "Josh has been playing good for about three weeks in a row now. He controls the offense and he sees things. He's playing smart football."

Kearse: 'We're going to continue to fight the good fight together'

Sep 24 | 9:45PM

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FNNY: Anthem protests in NFL00:03:05

Taylor Rooks, Marc Malusis and Sal Licata react to NFL teams protesting the national anthem and discuss what players and owners had to say.

From players on the field to acting owner Christopher Johnson and GM Mike Maccagnan, the New York Jets all locked arms during the national anthem before Sunday's 20-6 win over the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium in protest of President Donald Trump's comments from a few days ago.

The Jets had a team meeting Saturday and decided they would lock arms and stand for the anthem as a team. Groups of players from each team around the league on Sunday either locked arms or knelt during the anthem after Trump referred to NFL players who protested the national anthem as a "son of a bitch" and said they should be fired.

Johnson, who is the team's acting owner while his brother, Jets owner Woody Johnson, serves as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom in the Trump administration, released a statement saying it was an "honor and a privilege" to join the players on the field on Sunday.

Jets Post Game Overtime: Jets defeat Dolphins, 20-6

Sep 24 | 6:38PM

The Jets Post Game crew keeps the analysis going, handing out report cards from the Jets' 20-6 win over Miami in their home opener.

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Jets' defense leads the way in 20-6 win over Dolphins

Sep 24 | 4:25PM

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Bowles, McCown discuss win00:02:17

Todd Bowles and Josh McCown reflect on the Jets' first win of the season, a resounding 20-6 victory over Miami.

All that dismal 0-16 talk is over. And, the New York Jets ended it early with a stunningly dominant performance.

Josh McCown threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson, Bilal Powell ran for a score, and the Jets' defense frustrated Jay Cutler and the Miami Dolphins in a 20-6 victory Sunday in New York's home opener.

"Oh, man, it was awesome," McCown said. "It was special."

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Jets lock arms during national anthem before game against Dolphins

Sep 24 | 1:24PM

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September 24, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets players lock arms during the national anthem before the game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports (Kyle Terada)

Jets players locked arms during the national anthem on Sunday ahead of their game against the Dolphins.

Acting owner Christopher Johnson and general manager Mike Maccagnan joined the players by locking arms with them on the field.

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Wilkerson, Seferian-Jenkins active for Jets in Week 3

Sep 24 | 12:39PM

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New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) celebrates with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) (Adrian Kraus/AP)

DE Muhammad Wilkerson and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins will suit up for the Jets' Week 3 game against the Dolphins

Wilkerson missed practices during the week with a shoulder injury after suffering a shoulder injury during the team's Week 2 loss to the Raiders. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins will return following his two-game suspension at the beginning of the season.

The Jet Stream: Limo stealing and Carr-jacking

Sep 24 | 10:30AM

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In the latest episode of The Jet Stream, Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon look back at the Week 2 loss in Oakland, and discuss what the Jets need to do to secure their first win of the season. Later, Jonas and Willie debut two of the show's newest segments, "Willie's Story Time" and "How being an NFL player is better than being you."

Jets' Wilkerson didn't practice Wednesday, but expects to play against Dolphins

Sep 20 | 6:18PM

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New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) looks to the fans prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (bruised shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, but he believes he'll be ready to play against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Wilkerson suffered the injury during last week's matchup in Oakland, but does not think the bruise is too serious. Head coach Todd Bowles also said he doesn't believe the injury will keep Wilkerson out of action.

Below is the rest of the Jets' injury reportfrom Wednesday's practice:

Christopher Johnson says Jets aren't tanking

Sep 20 | 1:30PM

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(Brad Penner)

Christopher Johnson, the Jets' acting owner as his brother Woody Johnson serves as Ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Donald Trump, says the team isn't tanking.

"It couldn't be further from the truth," Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. "I want to win every game. Every player in that locker room wants to win. What you're seeing, I think, are growing pains. These are young guys. There are some older guys on the team. Some of them, they're doing an extraordinary job. But I think you're going to see this team get better and better and better. That's what I'm looking for. And we are definitely not tanking."

The Jets, who have started the season 0-2 and are expected to have one ot the worst records in the NFL this season, trimmed the roster of the majority of their veterans during the offseason.

Jets defense focused on positives found in blowout to Raiders

Sep 19 | 3:15PM

Sep 17, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) picks up a first down before being tackled by New York Jets outside linebacker Darron Lee (58) in the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports (Cary Edmondson)

The Jets defense may have allowed 45 points to the Raiders this past Sunday, but they are not embarrassed as they believe the unit as taken positive steps forward.

The Raiders racked up 410 total yards as they had both the run and pass game working in their home opener. Though it was a bad performance, LB Darron Lee spoke about why there were no heads hung in the locker room following the game.

Bent, theJetsBlog.comFollow on Twitter: The Jets surprisingly hung around for the better part of three quarters, but eventually the game slipped away from them and the Raiders came away with the anticipated blowout win. Aside from a couple of ill-timed turnovers, the run defense was the biggest issue in yesterday's game...